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The effects of natural contexts on mental health and well-being: a brief summary of the literature
ABSTRACT The problem. In the last ten years, a large number of studies have been aimed at defining and evaluating the restoration of well-being (mental, emotional and physical) attributable to natural environments. In general, natural environments are usually experienced as more “regenerating” than urban or man-made environments. However, how much the natural environment is perceived as […]
Nature Therapy: Review of Evidence-Based Programs
Anna Rita Colasanti, Mario Becciu, Giammaria Trimarco, Antonella Sinagoga, Roberta Porta, Laura Iardella, Gloria Bartolaccini, Valentina Costa & Annalisa Urbano
La consapevolezza derivante dalle prove di un aumento dell’incidenza del disagio e della psicopatologia in contesti urbani, dovuta a variabili strutturali in essi predominanti, richiede lo studio e la ricerca di interventi facilmente attuabili per la maggior parte delle persone, in contesto individuale, privato o istituzionale, e con una rilevante efficacia terapeutica, preventiva o promozionale per la salute fisica e mentale.
In questo lavoro si presenteranno i risultati di una rassegna sistematica, effettuata con il metodo PRISMA, sugli effetti salutogeni degli interventi basati sulla natura (NBT), una classe di interventi che sfrutta in chiave terapeutica elementi presenti negli ambienti naturali.
Le evidenze vagliate ne dimostrano l’efficacia in termini di costi/benefici (materiali e di tempo) e la facilità di attuazioni in contesti privati e/o istituzionali.
Tali caratteristiche rendono questi interventi fortemente appetibili per la pratica terapeutica e per la progettazione di politiche pubbliche o aziendali orientate alla salute e al benessere delle persone.
Man and nature: an ancient but still unresolved relationship
The man-nature relationship has been construed in different ways in different cultures but over time there has been a progressive accentuation of the anthropocentric vision. The possible causes of this cultural process are considered, with particular reference to technological capabilities, as well as its implications.
A brief review of the theoretical models and of the measures used to study the man-nature relationship leads to the conclusion that the very division between man and nature is a limit to an ecosystemic vision, more functional both on a theoretical level (models) and at a operational (interventions to maintain environmental balance).